The Counseling Graduate Program of the Department of Psychology offers graduate study
leading to a Master of Arts degree in Counseling. The Council for Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body
recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation
to both counseling programs of Chicago State University: Community Counseling (M.A.)
and School Counseling (M.A.).

The Counseling Graduate Program is designed to train students as counselors so they
can work in a variety of settings with an emphasis on training counselors to work
with urban youth and their families. It is also designed as a pre-doctoral study program
in counselor education and supervision, counseling, or psychology. Graduates of the
School Track are eligible to work as counselors in school settings. Graduates of the
Community Track are eligible to work as counselors in a variety of community settings.
The program currently qualifies students to sit for examinations for counseling certification
(NCC) and Illinois Licensure for professional counselors; the requirements for these
examinations are subject to change and additional requirements may be added. Completion
of the master’s degree program in counseling (School Track) qualifies students for
the Type 73 School Service Personnel Certificate for the School Counselor. Certification
requires the successful completion of the Illinois Certification Tests of Basic Skills
and School Counseling. Students with a master’s degree in counseling or related field
who want only an endorsement and certification in school counseling, must satisfy
all of the requirements of the school counseling degree. The Endorsement in School
Counseling Certificate Program has 31 hours of prerequisites and 15 hours of additional
required coursework (totaling 51 hours. More information about the program can be
obtained in the Chicago State University Master of Arts in Counseling Student Handbook.

Master of Arts in Counseling

Mission Statement

The mission of the program is to produce highly qualified graduates equipped to serve
the complex counseling demands in urban settings with a specific emphasis on addressing
the needs of urban youth and their families. This mission is generated from a belief
that counselors equipped to deal with the more difficult problems within large cities
will also be effective in other, less challenging settings. To accomplish its mission,
the program is committed to:

Teaching students how to access resources, advocate for their clients and their profession,
and serve as community activist when needed; and

Working with partnership with local institutions and agencies in the region to assist
in the development of socially and economically viable and sustainable communities.

Program Description

The school counseling program is designed to prepare students to serve the multiple
mental health or counseling needs within schools in an urban setting. Students will
be given a strong preparation in clinical intervention with a specific emphasis on
meeting the needs of urban youth and their families. Additionally, students will learn
how to develop a primary intervention program that impacts the entire school community
through implementation of The Developmental Counseling Model. Students will also learn
how to organize counseling interventions, which are integrated into the school curriculum.
Prevention and early intervention will be the primary goals taught to our students.

Students choosing to emphasize human services counseling or prepare for careers in
community agencies such as mental health clinics, substance abuse facilities, and/or
to work as developmental interventionists and consultants in a wide variety of educational
and non-educational settings can enroll in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track.
Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track will also be given strong
preparation in clinical intervention, with specific focus on addressing the needs
of urban youth and their families. Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling
track will learn how the family and community contexts impact behavior as well as
how to plan and implement effective interventions within the community context.

Admission Requirements

Submission of an application, official transcript(s) and two reference forms) one
from either a college instructor or supervisor at work) to CSU Office of Graduate
Studies by March 1 for the fall Semester. (Students will only be admitted into the
program once a year for the Fall Semester.)

Completion of six credit hours of prerequisite courses, which must include three credit
hours in developmental psychology and psychological statistics (with a grade of B
or better in at least one). A student may be granted conditional admission until the
prerequisites are met. Prerequisites must be completed in the first year of the program.

GPA: Minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for final 60 hours of undergraduate work. Applicants
whose grade point average is between 2.75 and 2.99 may qualify for conditional admission.

Successful completion of a written essay and personal interview with faculty for the
purpose of assessing oral communication, writing, interpersonal skills, and the applicant’s
potential for the counseling field.

Applicants for the School Counseling track or the Endorsement in School Counseling
Certificate Program must have passed the Illinois Basic Skills Test. In addition,
they must have a valid Illinois Teaching Certificate or they must take the course
ED 4820/5820 course –Educational Fundamentals in School Counseling as a program prerequisite.
Providing they have passed the Illinois Basic Skills Exam, students who do not have
a valid Illinois Teaching Certificate may be admitted conditionally pending successful
completion of the Education course within the first year. Certified teachers must
have proof of a passing score report on the Illinois Certification Test of Basic Skills
passed anytime since 1987.

Due to limited class size, not all qualified applicants may be accepted.

Full Admission

Full admission to the program is granted when all admission criteria are met.

Transfer Courses

Courses taken at other institutions which are to be applied to the counseling degree
requirements must be evaluated and approved by an advisor in writing within the first
semester after acceptance. Courses taken from other institutions after admission into
the program must be pre-approved by an advisor in writing, must be of a grade of B
or better, and must be completed within six years of graduation in order to be applied
to degree requirements. No more than a total of nine transferred credit hours can
be applied to the degree.

General Requirements

Completion of all required and elective courses, at the graduate level with a cumulative
grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Acceptance into candidacy before completing clinical courses.

Students must complete the following precandidacy with a B or better: PSYC 5650, 414,
5670/423,

Students must successfully pass the Comprehensive Examinations (Part 1- Objective
and Part 2 – Essay).

Students must successfully complete a Practicum (Field Experience) of 100 clock hours
and an Internship of 600 clock hours.

Completion of all clinical courses (PSYC 5790/431, 5950/434, 5990/490 or 5991/491)
with a grade of B or better.

Students in the School Counseling Program must pass the type 73 Certification Exam
in School Counseling and must have already passed the Basic Skills Exam.

Students who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree after graduating from the
Counseling Graduate Program are strongly encouraged to complete a thesis in lieu of
six hours of graduate electives. More information about this option can be obtained
by contacting an advisor (773-995-2359) or the Office of Graduate and Professional
Studies (773-995-2404).

Bilingual Specialization

Students accepted in to the Community or School Counseling Programs as well as the
Endorsement in School Counseling Certificate Program may apply for a Bilingual Specialization.
The Bilingual Specialization requires that a candidate successful complete the Helping
Hispanic Families course with a grade of B or better, satisfy the American Council
on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) requirements for the Advanced Plus Level
in Spanish, and complete a practicum in a school of community setting serving Latino
clients. Students interested in obtaining the Bilingual Specialization can request
an application from the Counseling Graduate Program. Language proficiency will be
initially screened by the Foreign Languages and Literature Department of Chicago State
University. Final testing for the language requirements will be conducted by ACTFL

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor Training

The purpose of this certificate program is to prepare students to sit for the examination
administered by theIllinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification
Association.

Important note about admission to the endorsement program: Given the Counseling. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
Programs (CACREP) requirements for faculty-student ratios, only a limited number of
students can be admitted to this program. Priority will be given to graduates for
the Chicago State University Community Counseling Program who are seeking an endorsement
in school counseling. All students interested in applying for this program must have
passed the Illinois Basic Skills Test and have a Master’s in Counseling or Counseling
Related field. Applicants can submit applications for the Fall semester by March 1
and for the Spring semester by October 15 to The School of Graduate and Professional
Studies. All registrations for graduate Psychology/Counseling classes and the ED 4820/5820
Fundamentals in School Counseling must be signed by an advisor of the Counseling Graduate
Program in HWH 311 (773-995-2359). Any student that enrolls in one of these courses
without having an advising form signed (and a copy left in the student’s file in the
department office) will be administratively withdrawn from the course(s) and is subject
to disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal from the university.

The purpose of this certificate program, a 15 credit hour graduate sequence, is is
to provide a Type 73 endorsement in school counseling for students with a master’s
degree in school counseling or related field. Some students entering the program will
already have a master’s in School Counseling and others may have a master’s in Community
Counseling or closely related degree. Applicants for the program must have an appropriate
master’s degree and have passed the Illinois Basic Skills Exam. In addition, they
must have a valid Illinois Teaching Certificate or they must take the course ED 5820/382G,Educational
Fundamentals in School Counseling as a program prerequisite within the first year
of the endorsement program. Providing they have passed the Illinois Basic Skills Exam,
students who do not have a valid Illinois Teaching Certificate may be admitted conditionally,
pending successful completion of the education course within the first year. Students
will not be allowed to take the education course unless they have been conditionally
admitted to the endorsement program. The program prerequisites and requirements will
meet all of the criteria necessary for endorsement in School Counseling.

The program emphasizes the Developmental School Counseling Model, strong clinical
training, and applied field practice as a school counselor in an elementary and high
school setting.

The certificate must be completed in three years.

Program Prerequisites (36 hours of prerequisites required.)

Program prerequisites include the following courses or courses judged by the program
coordinator as having similar content:

PSYC 5600 /406 or 396G/400; PSYC 5660 or 410 or 407 or 409; PSYC 5710/412 or 355G
or 405; PSYC 5720/413 or 347G or 404; PSYC 5650/414; PSYC 5650/416; PSYC 5730/417
or 5730/422; PSYC 5760/423; PSYC 5760/431 or 433; or PSYC 419; PSYC 5810/434 or 420
must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of practicumwith children and adolescents
only ); PSYC 5840/455; and 3 additional hours of graduate level electives in counseling
or a related field (e.g., 5815, 5820, 5850, 2200, etc.), not including PSYC 5500/300G
or below and courses in personality theory, abnormal psychology, or psychological
statistics.

Course Requirements (15 credit hours)

PSYC 5760/424, 5800/429, 5740, 443, 5990/490.

Internship in School Counseling ( PSYC 5990/490 3-6 hours): 300 or 600 Clock Hours Field/ prerequisite: Completion
of all required graduate level courses, passing the Illinois Type 73 Certification
Exam in School Counseling, and written application submitted by appropriate deadline.
Admission to the master’s degree program or the Type 73 Endorsement in School Counseling
Certificate Program. Supervised field placement in a school setting (K-12). May be
taken for three credit yours indicating 300 hours of experience or six credit hours
indicating 600 hours of experience. May be taken twice for three credit hours of once
for six credit hours to fulfill the required six credit hours of internship.

Requirement: Students must successfully pass the Illinois Basic Skills Exam and the Illinois
State Type 73 Certification Exam in Counselingprior to enrolling in PSYC 5990.

Other Requirements

Proof of passing the Illinois Certification Content Area Test for school counselors
prior to enrollment in PSYC 5990/490.

The certificate must be completed in three years.

Course Offerings

Psychology (PSYC)

5150/318 PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 1100/141.

Course examines the major theories of personality and provides an integrative framework
for understanding the dynamics of personality.

Supervised internship that provides experiences in spiritual counseling. Students
are placed in a religious institution or other organization that provides counseling
from a spiritual perspective. May be taken in a two-semester sequences for a maximum
of 6 credit hours.

5180/358 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 2080/231 or PSYC 4190/357; or MATH 1600/210 and PSYC 4185/331;
or consent of the department.

Design computer spreadsheets and data base files for statistical analysis in research.
Become proficient in SPSS, EXCEL, Internet, and other applications used in the behavioral
sciences.

Influence of drugs and alcohol on family, community violence. Incidence, prevalence,
theories, causation, risk factors, long term effects. Prevention strategies.

5204/316 AODA FIELD EXPERIENCE (3-6)

Prerequisites: PSYC 1100/141, 4202/313, 4206/370.

Focuses on demonstrating competency in the 12 core functions and 8 practice dimensions
of substance use disorder counseling. Supervised field experience using knowledge
and practicing skills learned in the classroom.

5205/363 PSYCHOLOGY OF DRUG ADDICTION (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 1100/141 and consent of the department.

Introductory course in the chemical, psychological, social and treatment aspects of
drug use, abuse and dependency. Drug abuse prevention will be introduced through elementary
theories of open communication.

5206/370 ADDICTION ASSESSMENT/CASE MANAGEMENT (3)

Prerequisites: PSYC 1100/141, 4155/336, 5205/363.

Introduction to and training in basic intake, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning,
referral, ,insurance, and other aspects of effective case management.

5207 GROUP WORK IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELING (3)

Prerequisites: PSYC 1100, 4205/5205.

Overview of group counseling with substance abusers in a variety of rehabilitation
programs. Experiential group counseling focus. Participation in a counseling group
with a personal growth focus followed by a period of didactic processing.

5210/377 ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY FOR MIDDLE GRADE TEACHERS (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 1100/141

Explores the development issues of early adolescence as they pertain to middle school
education. Explores the advisory role of middle school teachers in assessing, coordinating,
and referring students to health and social service agencies.

Note: Unless permission of the department is given, only students enrolled in the
school or community counseling programs are eligible to enroll for 400-level classes.
Prior consultation with the department is required for enrollment into any 400-level
courses in psychology.

5600/406 INTRODUCTION TO SCHOOL COUNSELING (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of program prerequisites or concurrent enrollment and admission
into the counseling master’s degree program.

Introduction to the roles and functions of the school counselor within a developmental
and other school counseling programs. Examines all aspects of professional functioning
including history, organizational structure, ethics, standards, and credentialing.
Credit not given for both PSYC 406 and 400.

5610/411 PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNITY COUNSELING (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of program prerequisites or concurrent enrollment and admission
into the counseling master’s degree program.

Principles of counseling in a community agency setting. History and philosophy of
psychological counseling, role and training of the counselor, modes of intervention,
consultation theory, and ethics of counseling.

5611 PRINCIPLES IN CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to Counseling Graduate Program or permission of the department.

Practical and experiential laboratory designed to build basic counseling and interviewing
skills, including counselor self-awareness. Focus on development of understanding
of the counseling process through readings, lectures, analogue exercises, and video
demonstrations.

Major theories, principles, ethical concerns, and techniques of counseling. Introduction
to Afro-centric and other models and exploration of techniques for children, adolescents,
and special populations.

5660 ADVANCED LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT & COUNSELING APPLICATIONS (3)

Prerequisites: PSYC 5600/406 or 411/5610 or concurrent enrollment.

Examines development and counseling across the life span and addresses issues that
impact counseling and development such as ethnicity, economics, disabilities, and
abuse/neglect. Introduces concepts of family development and basic learning theory.

This course is designed to build expertise in counseling individuals from diverse
cultural backgrounds including but not limited to individuals of African American,
Hispanic, Asian, and American heritage. It includes a study of change, ethnicity,
changing roles of women and sexism, urban and rural societies, changing population
patterns, cultural mores, and differing life patterns.

Theories and principles of vocational choice, relationship between career choice and
life style, sources of occupational and educational information, computerized guidance
services, financial aid, college admissions, approaches to career decision making
processes and career development exploration techniques.

Selection, administration, interpretation and evaluative use of intelligence, aptitude,
personality, interest, and achievement tests. Use and/or construction of questionnaires,
sociograms, anecdotal records, and other appraisal devices. Practice of different
diagnosis and clinical interviewing. Additional course fee.

Seminar on issues (e.g.) gangs, violence, abuse, drugs, poverty, etc.) facing youth
and families in urban inner-city environments. Exposes students to theories of adolescent
development, how development, how development is comprised in such youth, and using
research to guide effective treatment strategies for this population. Introduces family
system theory and application with youth and families.

Organization and management of the developmental model of counseling, programs within
the school setting. Exposes student to the counseling curriculum, individual planning,
responsive services, consultation theory, needs assessment, and program and system
support. Applications to urban setting and special populations..

Seminar course focusing on issues encountered by school and community counselors.
Issues include, but are not limited to, substance abuse, sexuality, single parent
and blended families, bilingual children, and clients with physical or mental disabilities.

Study of research methods, both qualitative and quantitative computer programs for
data management and testing; application of program evaluation principles; legal and
ethical considerations in research and programs.

An introduction to general systems theory and survey of the major systems of family
therapy, emphasizing theory and treatment strategies.

5790/431 PRE-PRACTICUM COUNSELING LABORATORY (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 5600/406 or 5610/411; 5660, 5650/414, 5640/416, and accepted as
candidate for clinical courses. Completion of all pre-candidacy courses in the program
and written application submitted by appropriate deadline.

Clinical laboratory experience with actual clients and live and videotaped supervision
in techniques of counseling/psychotherapy.

5950/434 PRACTICUM IN COUNSELING II (3)

Prerequisite: Completion of PSYC 431/433, accepted as a candidate for clinical courses
and written application during semester prior to enrollment. Admission to the master’s
degree program.

Supervised field placement in counseling/psychotherapy. Minimum of 100 hours of supervised
experience required in field placement.

5810/436 THEORIES AND PRACTICES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 5611 or 5610/411

The assessment, etiology, description, understanding, and treatment of addictions.
Addresses prevention, education, dual diagnosis, risk assessment, crisis intervention,
and issues related to diagnosis and treatment in multicultural populations. Evidence-based
individual and group interventions will be studied.

5910/437 ADVANCED CLINICAL TRAINING-SUBSTANCE ABUSE (PRACTICUM I) (3)

Prerequisite: Master’s degree in counseling(equivalent) and/or consent of the department.
Admission to the master’s degree program.

Supervised advanced field experience in selected substance abuse centers. Six to eight
clock hours per week.

5820/442 CASE MANAGEMENT IN SCHOOL COUNSELING (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 5600/406 or 5610/411, or concurrent enrollment in the same.

Basic concepts of special educational law, assessment, classification, and the development
of Individual Educational Plans through multidisciplinary staffings involving parents,
students, and school professionals. Emphasis on the practice of effective case management
which maximizes learning through appropriate special education procedures, counseling,
school programs, and communication with parents of exceptional children.

5830/445 ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 2000/217 or 2040/204.

A seminar in the critical analysis of educational theories, instructional techniques
and implementation in learning experiences, including measurement, evaluation and
applications in the educational setting.

5840/455 ADVANCED PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 5600/406 or 5610/411, or concurrent enrollment in the same.

The assessment, etiology, description, understanding, and treatment of psychological
disorders. Included in the study are schizophrenia, affective and anxiety disorders,
substance abuse/dependency, personality disorders, disorders of childhood and adolescence
as well as other disorders in the DSM-IV and issues related to diagnosis and treatment
in multicultural populations.

5850/459 SPECIAL TOPICS IN COUNSELING (3)

Seminar focusing on a specific topic in counseling. The exact topic will vary from
semester to semester. May be repeated with a different topic. (Maximum of six hours.)

5992/460 THESIS IN GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING (3-6)

Prerequisite: Completion of all required graduate courses and consent of the department.
Admission to the master’s degree program.

Supervised research and thesis in guidance and counseling as approved by the department.
(May be taken in two semesters, with three hours per semester for up to six hours.)

5860/465 COUNSELING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS (3)

Prerequisite: PSYC 5650/414, 5640/416, or consent of the department.

Overview of theories and techniques in child/adolescent counseling in experiential
and didactic format. Utilizes play media to facilitate expression, self-understanding,
personal growth and development. Includes observation and supervised experiences.
Additional course fee.

5890/479 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN COUNSELING (3)

Prerequisite: Admission to the master’s degree program and consent of the department.

Independent and/or group studies, relating to student’s special interests or programs.
Hours are to be arranged.

5990/490 INTERNSHIP IN SCHOOL COUNSELING (3 OR 6)

Prerequisite: Completion of all required 5000-level courses, passing the Illinois
Type 73 Certification Examination in School Counseling, and written application submitted
by appropriate deadline. Admission to the master’s degree program OR THE Type 73 Endorsement
in School Counseling Certificate Program.

Supervised field placement in a school setting (K-12). May be taken for three credit
hours indicating 300 hours of experience or six credit hours indicating 600 hours
of experience. May be taken twice for three credit hours or once for six credit hours
to fulfill the required six credit hours of internship.

5991/491 INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNITY COUNSELING (3 OR 6)

Prerequisite: Completion of all required 5000-level courses and written application
submitted by appropriate deadline. Admission to the master’s degree program.

Supervised field placement in a community setting. May be taken for three credit hours
requiring 300 hours of experience or six credit hours requiring 600 hours of experience.
May be taken twice for three credit hours or once for six credit hours to fulfill
the required six credit hours of internship.